Morningstar: The Malaise

First, a confession. I binged this 56 chapter book in a few days. I didn’t stop and mow the lawn, I let laundry wait, I couldn’t put it down.

I could not tear my attention away from the inhabitants of Morningstar and their life-or-death plight.

This is a shifter story and, honestly, that’s why I had left it on the shelf until I was encouraged to read it. I’ve read plenty of shifter stories and Headstall is an author I know for love stories and mysteries.

Turns out Morningstar: The Malaise is a love story, a mystery and more! This is a tale of survival for an ancient, magical people living peacefully within a larger society.

I am not one for referencing specifics about a plot (it’s compelling), characters (deeply developed), or outcomes (truly satisfying) in a review. I will encourage you, as I was encouraged, to read this.

You will be glad you did.

This is a well written story and a must read for all even if you’re not a fan of shifter stories. It has all the ingredients of a great piece but the one that really stood up for me was the many twists upto the end of it. I thought they were presented quite subtly. 

 



This world you built, of Lycans, love, and danger, I need to see more! I read this so carefully, wanting to see what would happen next, you lead us straight through with a desire to get to the finish line, I want so much more still though, and I look forward to see what comes next.

I am very honest to say that at the start of first 2 chapters, i don't feel any liking for Keller. I thought that this story got lot of recommendation, so it must be some different. I forced to read 3rd chapter. That's when i kind of get addicted. I finally know why so many people likes it.

If you are interested in wolf fantasy, it is one of best. After reading, you will get full spiritual satisfaction.

I dont know how it is that I didn't write a review for this great story which I have read 5 times!

The dialogue is just prefect and well written and rich with color! The settings are written are great and wonderful to read If you love a good romance you will find it here. I have shed more then a few tears over this great story! I would tell everyone that this is one hell of a good ride. These are not Werewolf's they are shifter's. And one great mystery I think you will enjoy! Give it a go and you will not be disappointed!

Stories such as this I have avoided as they seemed too outlandish for my tastes, but the GA site recommended it and after reading the synopsis and a few reviews I took a chance.  I am so glad that I did! Excellent writing from the author had me gripped by the end of the first chapter and I devoured the book in a week. I see that the author has written in other styles and genres and based upon "Morningstar" will read more. I left a note in the comments that I would pay to read more of this world and I have even looked for that, but to no avail. So pleased that it was NOT set in the USA and that lovely Canada got a look in. Book two could even involve the dreaded Covid 19 and if it affects the pack..

A Kiwi in Australia 

I was wary of reading a new werewolf story, but I have high regard for the writer and a friend who highly recommended this story. I started reading...and could not stop.

So many werewolf stories are the same. The protagonist fights his wolf/turning/disease or some other stereotypical plot.  This definitely isn't one of those.  Headstall didn't even write a werewolf story.  This is a wonderful love story and mystery, but the protagonists aren't diseased double personalities fighting their wolves.  These are humans who can shift from human to wolf. 

Headstall writes all his stories as a labor of love with great skill and care for details.  His plot is often full of surprises, but the clues are all there carefully placed. I gleefully congratulated myself when one of my predictions was correct, and slapped my forehead when I was surprised thinking "Why did I miss that?  I had all those clues!"  

Headstall is a talented writer with a great team of beta and editor to support him.  His books are wonderfully written and extremely addictive.  This is a must read! Of course I have said the same for almost all of his other great books.  I do guarantee you will love this story, and the world he has created.  

This is an amazing world of wonderful shapeshifters, which is a genre that I am now hooked on. It a love story, and a healing story for a lot of people in the story. The world it is set in is fraught with suspense, and intrigue. The main characters are very compelling to draw you into their lives. I was so enthralled, I read the entire thing in 3 nights, which I don't recommend.. pace yourself this is an epic story. Beautifully written, and the landscape so well described that I was transported out of my reality into this amazing world created by the author.

Every couple of months I am drawn back to Morningstar because it is such a well written, compelling story. I am one of many patiently waiting for the next installment of Kellar’s journey.

Reader beware- you will be drawn in and find it hard to put down but it will be worth every moment spent reading.

Greatly written romantic werewolf novel. it has a lot of very moving moments who ask for a handkerchief. Really enjoyable and woth the time dedicated to read it!

I absolutely loved this story, it's probably my fifth time reading it, and definitely not the last time. This story takes place almost in my backyard and the familiarity enables me to really immerse myself in each chapter like I'm actually there. For someone who doesn't specialize in were-creature stories, headstall really knocked this one out of the park and i recommend it to anyone looking for a good read they just can't put down. 

What an uplifting story!  I don't have as much time to read for pleasure as I'd like so a story has to be good to keep me 'turning the pages', and this was fantastic!  I'm so lucky to come to it when it's complete as I had the luxury of devouring it with no anxious wait for the next chapter.  When reality has so much darkness, Headstall's stories are cozy duvets of escapism that warm and comfort the soul.

Morningstar is such a well developed world, subtly uncovered and expanded throughout the story with amazing twists and turns that kept me wanting to know more.  Having finished it, I still want, need to know more!

The characters are all so well drawn, so deep, vivid, alive.  Hopes and dreams, scars and prejudices, loves and losses, the bruises of lives lived are wonderfully, emotionally explored.  These characters are people, most of whom I'd love to meet, some not so much! 

Romance, emotion, love, identity, family, belonging and loss are core elements beautifully woven throughout; I could feel the depth of emotions the characters were experiencing, such is the magic of the writing.

Loved every chapter.

Thank you for sharing this with us.

Mark  

I am in awe! Your writing is so good. --Wonderful imagination and really fine style, too. This was a very nice variation on the shifter story genre. It would be great if you continued with this story. There are so many details to follow up on (in another book?). I really like how you develop your characters. They seem to have real depth. I also like the way you create challenging situations in your stories and then your characters solve them. I have enjoyed your long works and your short ones , too. Thank you so much.

I've been reading were-creature stories since my freshman year in college and this story has toppled my favorites. The author's ability to dismantle, what I thought to be, a set-in-stone formation within this genre and rebuild it, is phenomenal. I look at this story and think, "Oh, so this is what a were-creature story is supposed to look like." Character creation is spotless and I fell in love with Kellar and Tobyn the moment they hit the scene. The dialogue was addictive, to say the least. Every word was placed in a natural way and together, they created each scene absolutely perfectly. 

For those who want to see a REAL shapeshifter story, this is it. As some reviews have stated, I can only pray to the earth mother for a sequel. There were a few subtle mentions throughout the story that has me hoping for a reappearance of some kind, but I imagine I'll be floored no matter what happens. Thank you for this wonderful story, Headstall!

I love this story.  Just when I thought I had things figured out Gary threw a curve or two and kept me right on the edge of my seat.  I laughed, cried, shook my fist, and ultimately stayed up way past my bedtime because I couldn't quit reading. The characters share real emotions and I found it easy to connect with the story through their triumphs and tribulations. If you're in the mood for a fresh take on shifters this is the story for you.

I love these kind of stories. I love the antics, the histories, the love, even the heartaches, but most of all I love to read about how they all come together as a family just like this family that GA has! Please let us read Book 2 and don't keep us in suspense!

Another fantastic story! When I saw it tagged with were-creatures I was going to skip over it, that theme has been soooo over done by others. I’m so glad I didn’t; it was a base for the story, but the character development and flow of he story felt so natural. Thank you earth-mother for bringing us this story. 😁

Great story! Are you planning on letting us know what happens with everyone in a sequel? Great characters and a very entertaining story. And best of all, you did the amazing thing of putting together a complete story while still leaving so many places you can take it.

So, about that sequel... Please? 😄

Up front and blunt: I don't care for stories about werewolves, vampires, shifters, other worlds and that ilk. Others may enjoy said genre, I do not.  That said I loved "Morningstar: The Malaise".  I was fully prepared to read a few chapters the lay it aside but the author writes beautifully, engaging the reader in the personal lives of the characters he created. There is depth to the characters, beauty in the writing, creating a draw that takes you from one chapter to the next. I highly advise reading other stories written by this author. 

This story revolves around Keller, and Tobyn. It is a truly a beautiful story of shifters. Let this wonderful author carry you on this journey and I assure you, you're not going to be disappointed. Read as things unfold for Keller and his journey to falling in love and finding answers that changes his life. And there's cute side characters that I especially enjoyed reading about. Thanks Gary for this beautiful story. One of the best I've ever read.

Only gets better with re-reading and re-re-reading and ... well you see where I'm going.  Best shifter story I've read.  Would love more, especially with all the threads you left hanging.  Quite understand if you've moved on though.

This is a story that opens your eyes to new things that let's you believe in soulmates that there is a special person for everyone and don't close yourself off you will meet them when u least expect so enjoy

Morningstar was one of my first Shifter stories. Numerous Shifter stories later, it's only now that I realise: I was drinking Champagne at the time.

This entire Shifter world: its' mysteries, ethos and traditions, must have been painstakingly put together by the author.

Only then did he release such a wonderful protagonist in the form of Kellar and gave him such an incredibly rich set of people to meet, love and care for. Romanticists will not be disappointed.

It's not all plain sailing. There are numerous challenges to be overcome, mysteries to be solved and those, that will need to be confronted.

But miss this and you've only yourself to blame 😘